Yesterday morning, editor-in-chief Aleksandër Frangaj was summoned to the Tirana Prosecutor’s Office investigation department by investigator Arben Qele[?]shi to be questioned about and… Later, investigator Arben Qeleshi, who at first told Mr. Frangaj that you have simply summoned us to question you about this report [unclear: takua?] and that no case would be opened, Arben nënçim was not in the file at the time Mr. Frangaj was summoned to the investigation department. Later, the investigator, after meeting again with his superiors, informed Mr. …

“Dozens of tanks heading toward the northeastern border” In the newspaper “Koha Jonë” dated 24 March 1993, a report was published under the headline “Dozens of tanks heading toward the northeastern border.” After publi- the previous issue. At the investigation department, editor Frangaj stated that it is true that several “Scania” trucks had been seen, the trailers of which panic had there usually been tanks covered with green military tarpaulins. These were seen, Mr. Frangaj continued, near the town of Mamurras, on the national road heading north through Albania. We have no information about their destination, but I will defend to the end the fact that the tanks were seen traveling along this road, Mr. Frangaj stressed. The investigator wanted to know who provided the information and who wrote the report. Mr. Frangaj said that many people had seen the “Scania” vehicles and could testify to this, but that I do not currently know their names because I am protecting the confidentiality of my source. Then investigator Qeleshi, who had initially told Mr. Frangaj that he had simply been summoned to be questioned about this report [unclear: takuam] and that no criminal case would be opened, after going to consult with his superiors, informed editor Frangaj that criminal proceedings were being initiated on the charge of: “Dissemination of information that creates panic.” Mr. Frangaj [unclear: mbi] wanted to know what panic had been caused by this report and how the investigator could establish that the tanks had not traveled north. The investigator stated that the panic was proven because the TANJUG Agency had also reported this news. The investigator asked the editor-in-chief to retract the report published in an earlier issue, but Mr. Frangaj refused, saying, “I cannot trample on the truth.” “This is something you could ask another journalist working for the authorities to do,” he stressed. Mr. Frangaj wanted to know who had prepared the complaint concerning this matter. The investigator said, “We did it ourselves.” (No …) investigator, after meeting again with his superiors, informed Mr. Frangaj that the measure of HOUSE ARREST WITH GUARDS had been imposed, taking into account the social danger posed by the offense committed by the accused. Thus, after Director Nikollë Lesi was prohibited from traveling between Lezha and Tirana, and after our journalist Frrok Çupi was prohibited from leaving Albania, editor-in-chief Aleksandër Frangaj is prohibited from leaving his home because he is deemed a social danger. Anyone in their right mind understands the purpose of this splendid campaign: its ultimate goal is to shut down the newspaper. But one thing is clear: closing the newspaper does not mean silencing the truth. We assure our readers that “Koha Jonë” will survive these unbridled attacks by those in power. In the next issue, we will inform you in greater detail about this matter.

CONTINUING SCANDALS Aid from Albania goes to Montenegro — DP MP DODË KAÇAJ THREATENS CUSTOMS OFFICERS WITH A PISTOL ITALIAN AID FOR SHKODËR GOES TO MONTENEGRO, BREACHING THE UN EMBARGO THE DP MP AND THE CHAIRMAN OF SHKODËR DISTRICT USE FORCE, SHOWING NO REGARD FOR ANYONE. READ ON PAGE 8

northeastern border.” Following publication of the report, there were many comments about it, both on Radio and Television and from responsible officials at the Ministry of Defence. The report was denounced as false and unfounded information. We clarify that it is absolutely true that on 21, 22 and 23 March 1993 dozens of tanks traveled along the northern highway, including through the town of Lezhë. The editorial staff recognizes that a slip occurred in the report when “toward the northeastern border” was written instead of “toward the northern border.” As for the accusation against editor-in-chief Mr. Aleksandër Frangaj that he “disseminated information that creates panic,” we clarify: The report was prepared and published according to the recognized principles of a free press, which provides information about what happens, about what actually takes place. Neither the newspaper nor the report has any intention whatsoever of spreading panic. If this report were analyzed from a moral standpoint, the most that could be concluded is that it counters panic among the army and the Albanian people. In this situation, when many Albanians have heard and learned that the previous regime left the country without even adequate defensive military equipment, the report gives people courage and raises their morale precisely by telling them that we have tanks, we have equipment to protect people’s lives from a possible attack, so keep your morale high. Anyone can understand—and should understand—the message of this report in precisely this way.